Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Benefits, Risks, and Considerations

Dothan OB/GYN Doctors Advocate Menopausal Help

Seven astonishing, highly experienced, licensed OB/GYN doctors head up the Women's Medical Center in Dothan, AL. Our doctors are compassionate about menopausal help and top-quality women's health. They are here to support you in your quest for unparalleled women's healthcare.

They are here today to discuss the symptoms and treatment to assist you through this mid-life crisis. Every woman is different, so menopausal symptoms vary in degree from no symptoms to severe symptoms.

Menopausal Crisis

Menopausal means that you are beginning the life-changing process of non-childbearing years. When your period stops for over one year without medication intervention, it means you no longer release eggs for fertilization, and unwelcomed symptoms may arise.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT?

When your body produces less estrogen and progesterone, you can develop some unwanted symptoms such as night sweats/hot flashes/food cravings/vaginal dryness/mood swings/and urinary incontinence. HRT eases these symptoms during this time.

Benefits of HRT

HRT is prescribed for you if you have menopausal symptoms that are getting you down. HRT works to decrease the following symptoms.

• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Night sweats
• Dry/itchy skin
• Reduces osteoporosis risk
• Improves mood
• Decreases tooth loss
• Decreases colon cancer/diabetes/joint pain risk

Risks of taking HRT

As with everything in life, there are pros and cons. When taking HRT, you and your doctor must weigh the risks involved, such as heart disease/ breast cancer/stroke/blood clots/urinary incontinence/gallbladder disease/and dementia.

What to Consider When Thinking of HRT

If you are considering taking HRT to manage your menopausal, it is best to talk this over with our doctor and weigh all the pros and cons. One may outweigh the other. The choice is yours. 

Menopause Care & Treatments

Women's Medical Center in Dothan, AL, says you can do other things to treat menopausal symptoms, such as changing your foods and beverages to a calcium and iron-rich diet. Increasing your vegetables, fruits, fibers, and whole grains is a plus. 

Decrease your intake of red meat and increase fish in your diet due to the omega-3 fatty acids, which help with mood and are an added plus for heart health. 

Flax seed oil and flax seed added to your meals help to reduce hot flashes. Other tips are as follows.

• Avoid hot/spicy/caffeine-laden foods/beverages
• Stop smoking
• Avoid stressful people/situations
• Rest
• Plan frequent getaways 
• Cardiovascular workouts/exercise
• Meditate

Call Top-Quality OB/GYN Doctors

Women in Dothan or surrounding areas can call seven excellent and highly qualified OB/GYN doctors at Women's Medical Center in Dothan, AL, for menopause relief at (334) 793-3900. Our doctors are waiting to meet with you about your concerns about women's health. If menopause has gotten you down, we can help you through this phase of life.